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Glite Dictionary
black-tie

black-tie

10 4.4
Requiring formal evening clothes like a tuxedo and bow tie for men
  • adjective
  • /blæk taɪ/
  • Formal
: de etiqueta
  • The invitation clearly stated that the event would be a formal black-tie gathering requiring tuxedos.
  • a black-tie dinner
  • a black-tie gala
  • a black-tie affair

And half the people in tux in like black tie tux.

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Examples

  • The night attracts over 1,000 people for a black-tie dinner and to watch eight boxing fights with regular people in Shanghai who have been professionally trained for three months.

    Blog text (3)

  • A black-tie affair, Stump has to help Cobb finish dressing.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • It was a black tie event and I was standing there with four men.

  • Sir, are you aware this is a black-tie affair?

    Meet Wally Sparks (1997)

  • Tonight was the first of three black-tie affairs.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • "You ever go to a black-tie affair, Paul?" Paul blushed.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • I find these black-tie events and glitzy award shows ridiculous.

    Blog text (23)

  • Throngs of guests in black-tie and elegant gowns are entering the building.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • TV news crews and still photographers are taking pictures of ACE and GINGER surrounded by clusters of celebrities and the Vegas power elite, including SHERBERT and GREEN, at a black-tie event.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Indiantelevision.com announced the US debut of Prerna Wanvari, acclaimed Indian actress and entertainer who will present an International Emmy Award in New York on Monday, November 19, at a black-tie gala event.

    Blog text (30)

Synonyms

formal
vsblack-tie
2 3.5

A dress, suit, or gown people wear for special occasions

is specifically about moderately dressy evening wear rather than general special-occasion clothes
white tie and tails
vsblack-tie
  • Formal
1 8.1

A very formal evening outfit for men with a white bow tie, white waistcoat, black tailcoat, and matching trousers

is a step down using tuxedos and bow ties instead of tailcoats
white-tie
vsblack-tie
  • Formal
1 8.0

Evening dress so formal that men wear white bow ties and tailcoats

is less formal favouring dinner jackets and black bow ties

Antonyms

informal
100 3.1

Not formal or official, relaxed and casual

casual
63 1.3

Suitable for everyday wear rather than formal occasions

How Formal

white-tie
  • Formal
1 8.0
black-tie
  • Formal
10 4.4
semi-formal
2 3.8
business suit
17 1.8
casual
63 1.3

Surface Forms

black-tie positive

Morphology

black-tie = black + tie (transparent) = black + tie

The meaning is directly built from 'black' + 'tie' to denote a formal dress code involving a tie, which an average learner can infer.

Etymology

Black-tie comes from the simple idea of wearing a black tie and dark jacket for 'formal' evening events. So a black-tie event asks guests to wear a tuxedo or other elegant clothes.